This month we welcome Olya Bar, a New York-based fragrance industry professional and content creator. Apart from being the Head of Communications for the U.S. perfume retailer Twisted Lily and an Editor at Çafleurebon (where we’ve been colleagues), Olya publishes a wide array of attractive posts and reels on her Instagram account. Eloquent and charming, she also conducts excellent live interviews. Her social media content goes beyond perfume, occasionally involving beauty care, lifestyle, and fashion (I love her personal style and I often take notes when she mentions her favorite products!)
Despina Veneti, Parfums Dusita Blog Editor
Q: Welcome to the Dusita Blog, Olya! Will you please introduce yourself to our readers?
A: My name is Olya Bar and I’m a fragrance expert, perfume writer, and Head of Digital Strategy & Communications at Twisted Lily. Born and raised in Moscow, Russia, my love for scent started in childhood. Growing up, I spent countless hours in the countryside, surrounded by breathtaking nature - this became the foundation of my scent memories. I explored everything from the rich earth to the most delicate flowers, and those experiences etched deep olfactive imprints into my heart and soul.
Q: What is the meaning of fragrance in your life?
A: I started collecting perfumes when I was about ten years old thanks to my dad, who was distributing fragrances as part of his business venture in Russia. He often brought home an abundance of beautiful perfumes - many of which found their way into my hands, since my mom only wore a select few. Most scents felt too mature for me at the time, but this changed when my sister returned from the U.S. with a miniature bottle of Liz Claiborne Vivid. That fragrance became my obsession.
While my academic focus was on International Marketing and Business in the fashion field, my true passion took hold in 2011, when I started working at a small niche perfumery on Crosby Street in New York. That’s when my collection - and my love for niche fragrances - exploded. I was completely drawn into the world of storytelling, craftsmanship, and the magic that fragrance offers. There was no turning back.
Looking back on my olfactory journey, fragrance for me is all about emotion. I experience life - situations, people, and memories - through scent. With my acute sense of smell, fragrance has always been a mood booster, a way to feel something, to capture a moment. I was layering and switching scents long before it became the social media conversation it is today. I wear multiple fragrances a day, just like I change my clothes or crave different foods. Fragrance has the power to transport, to comfort, and to exhilarate.
Q: How did you get to know Parfums Dusita and which of Pissara’s fragrances is your favorite?
A: I first encountered Parfums Dusita in 2020, and I still have an empty vial of Splendiris from that time. It was one of those beautifully crafted fragrances that brought me immense comfort and peace during a challenging period.
Since then, I’ve been fortunate to connect with Pissara, the brilliant mind behind the brand. She’s one of the warmest and most inspiring people in the industry, and getting to know her allowed me to dive even deeper into Dusita’s world. I fell head over heels for Anamcara and La Douceur de Siam - Anamcara, in particular, is my go-to for an instant mood lift. No matter how hectic life gets or how gloomy the weather is, its lush and floral structure brings joy and radiance. And let’s not forget Pelagos - this latest launch was my signature scent all summer and made it onto our 2024 best releases editorial roundup at Çafleurebon.
With over 1,500 fragrances in my personal Perfume Library and years of experience in scent evaluating and writing, I love to see how much Parfums Dusita stands out in the perfume world. The intricate compositions, exceptional quality of ingredients, and compelling storytelling set the brand apart. Pissara’s journey - building a powerhouse brand as a woman in a notoriously guarded and challenging industry - is nothing short of inspiring.
I can’t wait to see what Parfums Dusita has in store for us next. Each release takes us on a new olfactive adventure, and I'm here for it.
You can connect with/follow Olya on Instagram.
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